Oh it's been a day.
I'm aware this could come off as critical (the image above). That's very much not the case.
But my day first. I was Oftsed inspected. I had a drop in class of 8. One was autistic, two Asperger. One ADHD tendencies. One ESOL. All absolutely fabulous; I honestly am hugely fond of each and every one. All knew exactly what they were doing, all working brilliantly to the best of their ability (and then some).
On a Tuesday I teach 9-10.30, 11-12.30, 1-2.30, 3-5.30. Teachings an easy job, right?
No. This is Cameron's water colour of Thatcher's Britain. Teachers are underpaid, vilified, criticised, paper worked to death and, no, we don't get the school holidays off - we get as little holiday as everyone else, just fewer times in the year to take the days we're allowed.
Anyhow. I was caught for a drop in at the end of the day. I made one mistake (forgot to rub off the previous classes aims written on the whiteboard). Tomorrow, well, today (it's 4am and I can't sleep), I'll be castigated (read that how you will).
Mainly am cross with myself. Have a feedback meeting in 11 hours. Will see how it goes.
But... To refer back to a prior blog, sometimes I think I know how to draw at least. Pic above was drawn in two sittings today on iPad Mini 2 using Brushes app v2.
Ahh Brushes v2. I could go into the history of iPhone art. I could talk about Columbo and the New Yorker and Sprang electrifying an Apple keynote. The two Steves, together on stage at last.
And, in fact, I often do on stage when I'm talking about art on tablet devices. The iPod touch. That and Brushes. That was the first inkling I had about how extraordinarily powerful touch screen art might become. If you get a group of touch screen artists together at some point the talk will move to Brushes v 1 and 2. And then we'll talk about v3 ( :( ) and if anyone still cared by that point; Brushes XP. And, in fact, I did. The above image was drawn with friends at the end of the UK first meet up of tablet artists which I organised. It was a LOVELY week.
But Brushes on iPod Touch, iPad and iPhone? Oh, that was a high point. Other apps might have taken over as best on screen (hallo ArtRage and Sketchbook) but there was something wonderfully therapeutic about going back to Brushes today (the first time in a long time). It still has a 'best in class' UI for example.
But... To go back to the beginning of this post (see what I did there?? :) ) the Apple Watch. I'm (vey sadly) off some of the Apple bandwagon at the moment. Basically; can't afford it. Would love a Watch and, yes, would LOVE an Edition watch which looks heartbreakingly beautiful and not as blingy or ostentatious as some would suggest.
That, in my picture, I pair it with a green fluoro band is just me being a jealous bozo I guess :) (although I like the pairing. Think it would look cool, but obvs I'd be interested to see an orange fluoro band).
But hey, kicks where I can. After all there will be kicks today I'm sure.